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Publication Number
US-12070229-B1
Publication Date
2024-08-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A networking-capable emergency tourniquet including an adjustable and inflatable cuff configured to encircle a limb of a patient, and a controller unit removably coupled to the inflatable cuff. The controller unit includes a microcontroller configured to control the introduction, removal, and maintenance of air within the inflatable cuff and process collected patient data, a communicator unit configured to communicate with the user, a transmitter configured to transmit the collected patient data to a centralized server over a communication network, and a receiver configured to receive information from at least one of the centralized server and other sources over the communication network.
Core Innovation
An automated pneumatic emergency tourniquet system includes an adjustable and inflatable cuff configured to encircle a limb of a patient and a controller unit removably coupled to the inflatable cuff. The controller unit introduces, removes, and maintains air within the inflatable cuff to provide pressure-based hemorrhage stopping and to maintain cuff pressure even when the controller unit is detached. The cuff further includes a limb conforming component with an integrated dual port air valve including a top valve, at least one bottom valve, and a one-way check valve to maintain pressure after controller detachment.
The controller unit collects patient data and communicates with a user and with a centralized server. A transmitter transmits the collected patient data to the centralized server over a communication network, and a receiver receives information from the centralized server over the communication network. Upon activation of the power supply, the communicator unit activates the controller unit and transmits a request for assistance to at least one of an emergency dispatcher and the centralized server.
A tourniquet storage station aggregates data and provides centralized server integration for deploying nearby suitable tourniquets, including mobile applications for a user, a responder, and a tourniquet application. The centralized server delivers visual and audible instructions and enables dispatcher/responder coordination, including assistance requests based on location. The system further includes tourniquet identification and locator functions, such as RFID tag and RFID reader-based identification and locator methods for location of the tourniquet and the patient.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims include a networking-capable emergency tourniquet with a removably coupled controller and inflatable cuff, pressure maintenance after controller detachment, and end-to-end networking with a centralized server. The independent claim family further recites main additional inventive features, including server-delivered visual/audible instructions, inclusion of location in collected patient data, tourniquet identification using RFID, and centralized server communication with a plurality of tourniquets.
Network-capable emergency tourniquet with removably coupled controller
An adjustable and inflatable cuff configured to encircle a limb of a patient; a controller unit removably coupled to the inflatable cuff, the controller unit comprising a power supply, a microcontroller configured to control an introduction, removal, and maintenance of air within the inflatable cuff and process collected patient data, and a communicator unit configured to communicate with a user and capable of communicating with a centralized server, the communicator unit configured to transmit a request for assistance to at least one of an emergency dispatcher and the centralized server upon activation of the power supply which activates the controller unit.
Centralized server data transmission and information reception
A transmitter configured to transmit the collected patient data to the centralized server over a communication network; and a receiver configured to receive information from the centralized server over the communication network.
Integrated dual port air valve for independent pressure maintenance
The adjustable and inflatable cuff further comprising a limb conforming component, the limb conforming component comprising an integrated dual port air valve, the dual port air valve comprising a top valve, at least one bottom valve, and a one-way check valve, wherein the integrated dual port air valve allows the adjustable and inflatable cuff to operate independently of the controller unit to maintain pressure in the adjustable and inflatable cuff even after the controller unit is detached from the adjustable and inflatable cuff.
Server-delivered visual and/or audible user instructions
The emergency tourniquet networked to a centralized server provides the user with visual and/or audible instructions based on information received from the server.
Speaker and/or visual display for instructions
The emergency tourniquet with network capability includes a controller unit further having at least one of a speaker and a visual display to deliver instructions to the user.
Patient data includes location of the tourniquet and the patient
The network-capable emergency tourniquet of claim 1 collects patient data that includes a location of the tourniquet and the patient.
RFID tag storing tourniquet-specific information
The network-capable emergency tourniquet includes an RFID tag on at least one of the adjustable and inflatable cuff or the controller unit, with the RFID tag configured to store tourniquet-specific information.
Centralized server communicates with multiple tourniquets
The networking-capable emergency tourniquet of claim 1 includes a centralized server that communicates with multiple networking-capable emergency tourniquets.
Across the independent claim and its directly recited refinements, the core claim coverage is directed to a networking-capable emergency tourniquet with a removably coupled controller that controls inflatable cuff air and maintains pressure after detachment, while collecting and transmitting patient data to a centralized server and receiving server-delivered information for assistance coordination. Additional claim features include server-delivered visual/audible instructions, inclusion of tourniquet/patient location in patient data, RFID-based tourniquet identification, and centralized server communication with a plurality of tourniquets.
Stated Advantages
Allows the adjustable and inflatable cuff to operate independently of the controller unit to maintain pressure even after the controller unit is detached.
Enables transmission of collected patient data to a centralized server over a communication network.
Enables a request for assistance to at least one of an emergency dispatcher and the centralized server upon activation.
Provides visual and/or audible instructions to the user based on information received from the centralized server.
Supports assistance coordination and deployment of suitable nearby tourniquets via centralized server integration.
Includes patient data that includes a location of the tourniquet and the patient.
Provides tourniquet-specific identification using an RFID tag.
Documented Applications
Coordination with an emergency dispatcher/EMS/PASP/CAD/911 using a centralized server that delivers visual and audible instructions and enables assistance requests.
Deployment of nearby suitable tourniquets via a tourniquet storage station integrated with a centralized server and network activation workflows.
Use with mobile applications, including a User App, a Responder App, and a TQ App for interacting with the system and responding to server-delivered information.
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